Bandit 1200 vs Thunderace

Hey all, not posted for what must be over a year.
I'm getting rid of my Bandit 12 for something a bit more sporty, but for
insurance purposes it can't be a top class sports thou, so I'm thinking
about getting a Thunderace.

Anyone got any opinions on the Thunderace, either good or bad, and what the
differences between the two are going to be? I'm expecting alot better
handling, less torque, more top end and not sure on the comfort.

TIA

Phill

 

Colin Irvine of this parish is your man. He rates them.

 

So do I.

When Colin was looking for a bike to replace his 40K mile old P regd
Thunderace he couldn't think of anything better to replace it with, so
he went searching for one of the last Thunderaces to buy. He found a
very late registered one and I bought his old one from him. Of all the
bikes I've owned that Thunderace is probably the one I miss the most.
It was the perfect all round tool - you could use it for commuting,
touring, hooning up country lanes and do trackdays on it. The pillion
seat was comfortable and the riding position was perfect no matter
what you wanted to do. I wish I'd kept it longer and not bought the
ZX-9R I sold it for, I just couldn't get on with the 9R after owning
the 'Ace.

When I sold it there were 48K miles on the clock, and in all those
miles I think the only thing that ever went wrong was a bolt fell out
of the gearchange linkage. That didn't bother Colin, cos he rode it
with Pat on the back across half of France and almost into Switzerland
stuck in 3rd gear, and then put a new bolt in when he got to Ace's
gaff. They drink a bit of oil once they go over 40K but the oil light
is a level light, not a pressure light, so you'll know when it needs
doing. The only other thing to keep an eye on is the Exup valve
sticking. The tacho has a self-diagnostic system that tells you what
needs attention. If the tacho goes up to 7K revs and stays there for a
couple of seconds before dropping down to normal it means the Exup
valve is sticking. This can be expensive if it's been left like that,
if it starts happening to you then get it sorted soonest.

 

Damn - disappear to London for a few days and up pops my favourite
bike.

What the others have said - I'd get a third Thunderace if they still
made them. Sticking Exup valves can be sorted with a good clean and a
touch of copperslip or similar, or get the special juice from the T/A
mailing list. Make sure the valve clearances are done properly and
regularly. Don't worry if it burns oil. Get a double-bubble screen.
Enjoy.